Shoot It
Vaccines and immunizations you may not have received yet, but should
Zostavax. This vaccine, for sixty-five-plus, prevents shingles, a painful, blistering rash that can crop up as you get older if you suffered chicken pox as a child. "The virus stays dormant and can come alive with a vengeance when you're stressed or your immune system is down," says Jaime Wise, a family physician at Crown Point Family Physicians.
Pneumonia vaccination. This vaccine lowers the risk of developing the most common form of pneumonia. Adult smokers, "anyone over age sixty-five, or those suffering with a chronic disease like diabetes should also be vaccinated."
Adacel (Tdap). This combo vaccine delivers a three-layer wall of protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). "We always give a tetanus booster every ten years, but now if a patient is up for a tetanus booster I give them Adacel," says Wise.
MCV meningococcal conjugate vaccination. This shot protects against the most common forms of bacterial meningitis, a deadly infection that can cause inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. "Anyone going into college, where they'll be living in dorms and in close contact with others, should really be vaccinated," says Wise.
More from Charlotte magazine's Your Healthiest You package:
- Your Healthiest You: Navigating the modern healthcare system
- Finding a Doctor: How to avoid the most important doctors in your life
- Well Appointed: 5 ways to get more from your next doctor's visit
- Shoot It: Vaccines and immunizations you may not have received yet, but should
- Tests and Screenings You Shouldn't Miss
- ER Dos and Don'ts
- Medical Myths: Debunking junk science
- Tackling Insurance
